“This song really touches on family and values. It’s one I wrote with Scott Mehaffey and when we started it, the song took me back to my childhood on my Grandpa's farm. Where that old maple tree saw everything, from praying down at the creek, to all the hard work in the garden. I think it relates to a way of life that's needed this day and time more than ever. We hope this song takes you back there too!” - Edgar Loudermilk

To many bluegrass fans, Edgar Loudermilk is likely best known for his solid bass skills, particularly thanks to his long tenure with bluegrass favorites IIIrd Tyme Out. However, over the past few years, Loudermilk has begun to come into his own as a vocalist and as a solo artist, releasing two popular albums in 2013 – the solo effort My Big Chance Tomorrow, and a duo project with Dave Adkins under the name Adkins & Loudermilk. This year, he’s officially struck out on his own with the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry. In July, Pinecastle Records released Loudermilk’s newest solo album (featuring the members of his band), Georgia Maple.

Of the twelve songs here, Loudermilk wrote or co-wrote eight. Several of the best reflect on home, memories, and growing up. The opening track, My Kentucky Home, is one of the album’s strongest, with a catchy melody and the familiar bluegrass tale of a man who realizes leaving home wasn’t the best decision he ever made. It has a good modern traditional sound, with Zack Autry’s mandolin particularly standing out. My Home in Caroline, written by Loudermilk and Autry along with the other two regular band members (guitarist Jeff Autry and dobro player Glen Crain), pulls together several popular bluegrass themes, as well. The singer has made a few mistakes – leaving the girl behind, rambling and gambling and so on – but now he’s trying to make things right.

The title track is another ‘home” song from Loudermilk’s pen, this time co-written with Scott Mehaffey. It’s a well-written, mid-tempo number that uses a long-standing maple tree as a touchpoint for the many life events that have taken place on the singer’s family farm. From commonplace things like plowing to more momentous occasions like the song’s narrator building a house to begin a family of his own, the maple tree has seen it all – “just like you, I have ground now of my own,” Loudermilk sings. Also well-written is Dreaming Enough to Get Me By. Written by Tony Ramey, the song will likely speak to many listeners. The singer tells of days spent “chasing bill after bill, running two steps behind” but shares that he allows himself just a little room to dream so that he doesn’t lose hope in a better future.

On the more upbeat, traditional bluegrass side of things is Trains Can’t Turn Around, co-written by Loudermilk and Trey Ward. The song’s pace is set by a banjo kick-off from guest Chris Wade, and Crain’s dobro adds an extra bluesy kick to the number. Even bluesier is the (aptly-titled) Blues Ain’t Coming Through My Door, a contribution from Loudermilk and former IIIrd Tyme Out bandmate Wayne Benson. Crain and Jeff Autry work well here together to create a nice groove, supporting Loudermilk as he declares that he’s through letting heartbreak get him down.

A pair of covers also stand out.Harvest of My Heart has a bit of a different feel from the rest of the album. Many of the versions of this song I’ve heard have featured a higher lead, but Loudermilk’s arrangement works very well. He fills the lyrics with emotion as he shares the story of a farmer who tries hard to put his family and beloved wife first in all he does. On the album, it’s followed by Bob McDill’s It Must Be Love, which Don Williams took to number one on the country charts in 1979. Following in Williams’s footsteps, Loudermilk takes a simple approach to the song, with plainspoken phrasing and stripped down, gentle instrumentation guided by Jeff Autry’s guitar. Fans of the song should enjoy this version, which actually sticks fairly close to the original.

Loudermilk has a distinctive voice in bluegrass music, and he uses it to nice effect on many songs here, especially when he’s called upon to fill his vocals with passion, such as on Harvest of My Heart. The musicians in his band are all well-respected in bluegrass circles, and the country-tinged, modern traditional grass they create here is enjoyable. Though Wade is not a regular member of the band, his banjo playing fits well with the group’s style and helps add a stronger bluegrass feel to several of the songs. Fans of Loudermilk’s previous solo work should enjoy Georgia Maple.

For more information on Edgar Loudermilk, visit his website at www.edgarloudermilk.com. His new album is available from several online music retailers.

EDGAR LOUDERMILK, GEORGIA MAPLE, Reviewed By Bluegrass Unlimited

EDGAR LOUDERMILKGEORGIA MAPLE

Pinecastle RecordsPRC 1198

Among contemporary lead bluegrass singers, Edgar Loudermilk has one of the most distinctive, recognizable, and enjoyable voices in the business. His crisp baritone lead is powerful, cutting, and expressively tuneful. As with Russell Johnson and Junior Sisk, similarly strident voices, you can always find him in the mix and always want to.

For his Pinecastle debut, he includes eight originals along with four covers that include a jazz standard, “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” “Harvest Of My Heart”, and a country hit from back in the ’70s, “It Must Be Love.” Two of the originals, “My Old Kentucky Home” and the slower “Homesick Blues,” Loudermilk wrote. Both explore the theme of leaving home and longing to return. That same theme emerges on “My Home In Caroline,” written with his bandmates, and again on “Georgia Maple,” written with Scott Mehaffey. The latter is the best of the four, with a mid-tempo bounce that has a gospel hint. Also of note is the beautiful country tune he wrote with Lucias White, “Until Your Love Brings Me Back.” Melodies don’t get much better.

While all the covers are very good, the one that most stands out is Jerry Ramey’s positive message song “Dreaming Enough To Get Me By.” It’s melodic to beat the band, catchy and has a very good arrangement.

Joining the bass-playing Loudermilk on a recording worthy of hearing in every respect are guitarist Jeff Autry, mandolinist Zack Autry, resonator guitarist Glenn Crain, and banjoist Chris Wade. This is the same group that backed Adkins & Loudermilk on their 2015 album. That continuity and familiarity makes for a cohesive sound and presentation and gives the album an added boost. (Pinecastle Records, 5000 Old Buncombe Rd., Suite 27-242, Greenville, SC 29617, www.pinecastlemusic.com.)BW

LOUDERMILK’S GEORGIA MAPLE GOES TO #4 ON BILLBOARD CHART

The album (to #1) and it’s first single, “My Kentucky Home,” (to #2) did very well on the AirPlay Direct charts, and continues to receive high praise and escalated play from radio programmers worldwide.

The first single from the album,“My Kentucky Home,” released this past February, showcasing Loudermilk’s songwriting prowess yet again. Having written or co-written eight of the twelve songs on GEORGIA MAPLELoudermilk’s bluegrass roots come across loud and clear with this recording.

The new release is comprised of phenomenal instrumentals and vocals from Edgar Loudermilk, bass player, together with his band mates, featured guitarist, Jeff Autry, Dobro player, Glen Crain, and mandolin player, Zack Autry; as well as impressive banjo player, Chris Wade, from Gatlinburg, TN.

Featured guitarist, Jeff Autry, also has a project recently re-released on Pinecastle Records, FOOTHILLS. The band is performing and supporting both albums on the road nationwide and in Canada and looks forward to taking the stage near your hometown very soon! Keep an eye on their very busy schedule at www.EdgarLoudermilk.com.

Edgar Loudermilk's Georgia Maple Available Now

Edgar Loudermilk's debut album on Pinecastle Records, Georgia Maple, is available today. The first single from the album, "My Kentucky Home," has already been playing on radio across the country and has charted on Bluegrass Today's Weekly Airplay Chart several times reaching as high as the #2 spot. The album also reached #1 on AirPlay Direct's bluegrass radio chart.

Georgia Maple features eight out of twelve tunes written or co-written by Loudermilk, giving the album his own style and sound. Personnel featured on the album include Glen Crain on Dobro, Edgar Loudermilk on lead vocals and bass, Jeff Autry on Guitar and Harmony Vocals, Zack Autry on mandolin and harmony vocals, and Chris Wade on banjo.

"Take a one of a kind voice, a commanding stage presence, and a killer songwriter who can conjure up the long lonesome feeling of bluegrass music with a stealth and hearty vocal like no other."- Bill Barnett, Saltymoss Media

"Georgia Maple, an Album with songs about real life & events we all can connect with, it's Bluegrass at it's Best" - Big Al Weekley

The band is currently touring in support of the album as The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry. Autry's solo album,Foothills, was released on Pinecastle in the 1990's and has been brought back in print to be available to fans at the band's shows.

Edgar Loudermilk is a veteran bluegrass vocalist, bass player, and songwriter who taught himself to play by rote, listening to the Bluegrass Album Band Volume 1 recording. He was heavily influenced by his father and grandfather as well as his well known relatives, The Louvin Brothers. Loudermilk played in his family’s band from age nine until the age of 20 when he joined the regionally popular group, Carolina Crossfire. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a professional career in music. He went on to be a member of Rhonda Vincent’s band, then Marty Raybon’s Full Circle, and eventually a member of Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out by 2006. Loudermilk already has two highly acclaimed solo albums under his belt as well as a recent collaboration recording with Dave Adkins. With his upcoming release, he joins the Pinecastle Records family of artists.

Swift Enterprises, LLC, one of the largest privately owned contractor fleets in the United States, has just sponsored the tour for the Edgar Loudermilk Band, Featuring Jeff Autry.

SEL operations are headquartered just North of Chattanooga in Cleveland, TN., and it’s Owner/CEO Gregory A. Swift has been a Bluegrass enthusiast for over 35 years, attending his first bluegrass concert in Breckenridge, CO. in the 80’s, to see New Grass Revival. Over the past several years, Swift came to appreciate and follow the John Cowan Band, and was an audience member at many shows enjoying Jeff Autry alongside Cowan.

"Jeff and I became friends and he's been playing Swift Enterprises events regularly for some time. In 2015, the Edgar Loudermilk Band, Featuring Jeff Autry, played our party and everyone really enjoyed the sound and talent up on the stage. The idea of a possible tour sponsorship by Swift Enterprises for Edgar and Jeff sounded like a great match and we look forward to an incredible 2016 season!” - Gregory A. Swift, CEO

Swift Enterprises, LLC will be wrapping a Chevrolet 3500 passenger van for the band to travel in and covering the tour expenses starting with their Pacific Coast tour the last week of January 2016. Edgar Loudermilk has just released a new single “My Kentucky Home” on Pinecastle Records, with the new album slated for release in early Spring. Jeff Autry’s solo album, “Foothills”, also on Pinecastle Records, will be newly released as well. You can follow the tour to find out when the band will be near you and check out their new ride at www.EdgarLoudermilk.com.

Edgar Loudermilk Signs with Pinecastle Records

Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce that Edgar Loudermilk has signed with the label. An as yet to be titled album is already in the works and set for a release in 2016. Loudermilk will be performing upcoming dates touring as the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry. Some of the tunes in their live performance will showcase music from Pinecastle’s Bluegrass 90’s series as well as Autry’s solo Pinecastle release, Foothills.

“We are so excited to be a part of the team here at Pinecastle! This album has been a great experience, and landing a home with Pinecastle is a great fit. The new album is a collection of original tunes with a few old classics. We will be supporting this album with dates on the books for The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry, and will also be available at Adkins & Loudermilk shows. Pinecastle is also bringing Jeff Autry’s album, Foothills, back in print to be available at shows. Our upcoming single fits the traditional bluegrass format that we love so much. Thanks so much to Pinecastle Records, we are looking forward to be part of a great team here!” – Edgar Loudermilk

Edgar Loudermilk is a veteran bluegrass vocalist, bass player, and songwriter who taught himself to play by rote, listening to the Bluegrass Album BandVolume 1 recording. He was heavily influenced by his father and grandfather as well as his well known relatives, The Louvin Brothers. Loudermilk played in his family’s band from age nine until the age of 20 when he joined the regionally popular group, Carolina Crossfire. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a professional career in music. He went on to be a member of Rhonda Vincent’s band, then Marty Raybon’s Full Circle, and eventually a member of Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out by 2006. Loudermilk already has two highly acclaimed solo albums under his belt as well as a recent collaboration recording with Dave Adkins. With his upcoming release, he joins the Pinecastle Records family of artists.

One of bluegrass music’s favorite new bands, Adkins & Loudermilk, has received an International Bluegrass Music Association Award Nomination as Emerging Artist of the Year. The five piece band, led by Dave Adkins and Edgar Loudermilk, also includes the talents of Glen Crain, Jeff Autry, Zack Autry and Barry Crabtree who have been busy touring the country promoting the Adkins & Loudermilk album released earlier this year on Mountain Fever Records.

Radio stations have also been supportive resulting in six tracks from Adkins & Loudermilk appearing on six different radio charts including Bluegrass Today’s Top 20 Weekly & Monthly Charts, SiriusXM’s Most Played Tracks, Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Bluegrass Songs, Cashbox Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass Songs, Power Source Magazine’s Top 30 Song charts. The first two single releases, with “Georgia Mountain Man,” penned and sung by Loudermilk about his Grandfather and “Backside of Losing” with vocals from Adkins, continue to climb the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 30 National Bluegrass Survey Chart.

Cruise With Edgar In 2018!

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Pitt Reso-Guitars Endorses Glen Crain

Veteran resophonic guitar player and fairly new Luthier, Jerry Pitt, Pitt Resophonic Guitars, of Melcher - Dallas, Iowa, is proud to announce his endorsement of Glen Crain, one of the most melodically creative and well respected dobro players in the bluegrass industry today. Glen is plays dobro with the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry and has played with the guys for many years.

Glen met Jerry Pitt after a Central City, Iowa show on August 27th and an immediate friendship was struck. Jerry let Glen pick on his "Old Hounds" reso-guitars that he handcrafted for the sole purpose of creating the "old dobro sound, but with the power and ability to sustain like the newer post design guitars." Glen had this to say about the "Old Hounds" guitars:

"He (Jerry) can turn out an excellent resophonic guitar for $999. I want to be able to push a guitar that is handmade yet affordable for a beginner as well as a seasoned player. For me it was love at first sight and I couldn't wait to try it out in a microphone on stage. I did just that in Clarkesville, Georgia and fell in love with my "Old Hound" from Pitt Resophonic Guitars all over again."

Jerry has been playing dobro for many years but only just got his start as a Luthier back in 2014. "I wanted to provide a guitar that was a high quality instrument with a great sound at an affordable price." Jerry currently builds just the two standard models, which he calls his "Old Hounds."

ZACK AUTRY ENDORSED BY ACCLAIMED GEORGIAN MASTER LUTHIER RANDY WOOD

Every young professional musician hopes for a moment in their career when a personal feeling of accomplishment from something so unexpected, will seem to justify all of the hard work that is put into the craft day in and day out. That’s how Zack Autry felt when Randy Wood handed him one of his custom crafted mandolins following his show with the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry, on March 19. He was shocked, incredibly happy, proud, and grateful.

The Music Store, which sells Randy’s own custom-made mandolins,guitars and banjos, also makes repairs and sells used and vintageinstruments by other makers.

“I’ve known Randy Wood through my dad, Jeff, since I was probably about 10 years old or so. He and dad are good friends, with dad playing at Randy’s Picking Parlor and events that he’s been involved in for a very long time. I know over the years it has always been a highlight of our family vacations to Savannah to just stop by and talk. I’ve always had a wonderful, insightful experience at Randy’s shop and have usually gotten the opportunity to either hear or play some of the most well-built instruments before we leave. He’s an absolutely fantastic luthier and artist, as his career and the respect of his peers speak for themselves. He is also a very fine human being. There truly is only ONE Randy Wood.” -Zack Autry

There’s such a great history behind Randy Wood, the man, the luthier shop, the pickin’ parlor, I encourage all of you to visit the website, take in a show, and stop by the store. Randy says that he tried to be a musician himself early on but there was no money in it, so he tries to help other musicians when he can and wishes he could help more. When asked why he chose Zack Autry to endorse with one of his custom instruments, Wood had this to say:

“I like Zack and I think of Jeff like a stepson. I think the world of his Dad and his Granddad. Zack has come along real good with his playing and seems like a worthy recipient of a decent mandolin. Hopefully it will help him continue to bloom.” -Randy Wood

You can hear Zack Autry make beautiful music with his brand new Randy Wood model F-5 Mandolin at many upcoming dates with the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry, across the USA and Canada. Check the tour schedule here and stay tuned to Facebook Events updated daily!

Enjoy This Studio SNEAK PEEK of "Georgia Maple"!

New Single from Edgar Loudermilk for Radio

Edgar Loudermilk, newly signed to Pinecastle Records, is releasing the single “My Kentucky Home” to radio. The song is from his upcoming Pinecastle release to be titled Georgia Maple. The song is an Edgar Loudermilk penned original and features the same lineup of musicians from the full album: Edgar Loudermilk – lead vocals and bass, Jeff Autry – guitar and harmony vocals, Zack Autry – mandolin and harmony vocals, Glen Crain – Dobro, Chris Wade – Banjo.

Loudermilk will be touring in 2016 as the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry. Some of the tunes in their live performance will showcase music from Pinecastle’s Bluegrass 90’s series as well as Jeff Autry’s solo Pinecastle release, Foothills, which will be newly back in print.

Edgar Loudermilk is a veteran bluegrass vocalist, bass player, and songwriter who taught himself to play by rote, listening to the Bluegrass Album Band Volume 1 recording. He was heavily influenced by his father and grandfather as well as his well known relatives, The Louvin Brothers. Loudermilk played in his family’s band from age nine until the age of 20 when he joined the regionally popular group, Carolina Crossfire. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a professional career in music. He went on to be a member of Rhonda Vincent’s band, then Marty Raybon’s Full Circle, and eventually a member of Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out by 2006. Loudermilk already has two highly acclaimed solo albums under his belt as well as a recent collaboration recording with Dave Adkins. With his upcoming release, he joins the Pinecastle Records family of artists.

"Happy New Year to all of you!! We hope 2016 brings much joy, health ,and happiness to each and every one of you! Thanks to all of the DJ'S for the spins and all of you for the requests! Great to see Georgia Mountain Man make it into the top ten songs for 2015!!! This means the world to me, especially with it being a song about my Grandpa Marvin Loudermilk!!! We have a new single coming out with Pinecastle records here in the next week, so looking forward to the next year check out our website at www.edgarloudermilk.com, we have been adding a lot of dates for our 2016 tour and we hope to see you all very soon!!" -Edgar

Folks, we are adding new dates to the tour almost daily and are so excited to get a chance to see ALL of you on the road this year and play some songs from the new album, as well as some of your old favorites! New dates added include:

Edgar Loudermilk Music Productions, in cooperation with the YAMS and Aunt Sue's Country Corner is proud to bring you a very special event this coming April, YAM JAM 2016! YAM JAM will be an amazing bluegrass festival dedicated to the celebration of our Southern Appalachian Musical Heritage and Young Appalachian Musicians! You won't want to miss this top shelf bluegrass lineup, amazing food and fun activities! We look forward to seeing you there!

Getting super excited about the Bluegrass Farm Jam Festival coming up in April and have been working on getting all of those details hammered out! The event will be held at the amazing Jaemor Farms in Alto, GA. and we're fixing to bring you a terrific lineup and a ton of fun! You won't want to miss it! Tickets available now and please contact us if you are interested in being a vendor or sponsoring.